Birth date: May 31, 1940 Death date: Apr 25, 2026
Sarah Lauree Bush Smith ended her battle with Alzheimer’s on April 25, 2026, in Leesburg, VA. Sarah was 85 years old, born in Nashville, Tennessee, to Stewart Bush and Josephine Newby Bush. Her parents and sister Myra Jean Weeks Read Obituary
I loved Mrs. Smith! I only had her for homeroom, but there couldn’t have been a better way to start your day. Her naughty sense of humor and lively, loving spirit was a true gift first thing in the morning. I wish they still made teachers like her! Kids today don’t know what they missed.
My favorite memory is her voice "cameo" in the school play Harvey in fall 1983. The play opens with a recital happening in another room and our director needed someone to sing I'm Called Little Buttercup as dreadfully off-key as possible. Of course he and the choir director immediately went to Mrs. Smith, who did a fantastic job of intentionally ruining the song. I still remember her changing one lyric and screeching, "Poor little Buttercup -- WHYYYYYYY?" at the end of the recording. Absolutely hilarious.
I knew her in passing from sitting in on our French classes when Mme. Owens couldn't be there, and she was always a hoot. Never a dull moment with her around. She brought joy to a lot of students' lives over the years.
I'm laughing through my tears because I find that my favorite memories of La Senora might be considered inappropriate. I adored her. I had already taken French and took 2 years of Spanish just to have her as a teacher. She was smart as whip and full of joy with a slyly naughty sense of humor that, in retrospect, probably informs my own.
Ahh what the hell. If you knew her, you'll enjoy this memory...on a spring day 2 years after I graduated, I was at LVHS early morning because I was borrowing a friend's car that day. As we headed for the door, Mr. Shipp was maybe 30 feet ahead of us, La Senora, maybe half that. Suddenly, she started rattling the Cool Whip container in her hands like a maraca. "Mr. Shipp!" she called, her voice shrill in the morning air. "Would you like to see my cherry?" Mr. Shipp grabbed his labels, hesitated for a moment, shook his head and continued toward the door. "Mr. Shipp!" she insisted, "Are sure? It's very sweet! You should taste it!" Poor Mr. Shipp could barely contain himself. He schooled his face to be stern and turned to face her. She was openly laughing. He said, "That's enough, Mrs. Smith," and turned back to go into the school, but not before I caught him chuckling a little. It must be said that both of them took stock of the audience -- a few seniors, some other teachers, ME -- before engaging in this bit. All of us old enough to enjoy the joke, nobody to be scandalized by it. I realized then that she had likely tortured him a little with playful, innuendo-filled taunting since 1965, and he had grown to enjoy it.
One of my favorites ❤️ Best grandparents anyone could ever ask for! I love you both so much, granny Roman and I miss you so much and we love you so much we always had such a great time with you. You always made us laugh and feel loved every moment.
I am so so sorry to hear of “S’nora Smith’s” passing. I have soooo many fond memories of Sarah from Spanish class at Valley to being her student assistant to unexpectedly just showing up at her house on a random weekend night to her presenting me my 25 year pin as an educator in LCPS. She was one of my two favorite teachers- the other being Ken Culbert, and if you knew Mr. Culbert then you know the high standards I had for “favorite teacher”. Fast forward a few years post-college and I lived on the same street as Sarah. The basement of my townhouse was flooded by the “creek” that ran behind our houses and I lost a lot of personal belongings- including my yearbooks. Sarah brought to school (yes … we were coworkers … a full circle moment) her yearbook from the year I graduated, and gave it to me - this just meant so much to me. (Bonus … I got to read what my fellow students wrote to her!) I still have that yearbook and will cherish it even more. Caring thoughts to her family … the impact Sarah had on my life, and hundreds upon hundreds others I’m sure, was … IS a powerful legacy. Hugs, Cindi (Neuf) Heskett.
I am so so sorry to hear of “S’nora Smith’s” passing. I have soooo many fond memories of Sarah from Spanish class at Valley to being her student assistant to unexpectedly just showing up at her house on a random weekend night to her presenting me my 25 year pin as an educator in LCPS. She was one of my two favorite teachers- the other being Ken Culbert, and if you knew Mr. Culbert then you know the high standards I had for “favorite teacher”. Fast forward a few years post-college and I lived on the same street as Sarah. The basement of my townhouse was flooded by the “creek” that ran behind our houses and I lost a lot of personal belongings- including my yearbooks. Sarah brought to school (yes … we were coworkers … a full circle moment) her yearbook from the year I graduated, and gave it to me - this just meant so much to me. (Bonus … I got to read what my fellow students wrote to her!) I still have that yearbook and will cherish it even more. Caring thoughts to her family … the impact Sarah had on my life, and hundreds upon hundreds others I’m sure, was … IS a powerful legacy. Hugs, Cindi (Neuf) Heskett.
Charlie & Family: We are so sorry to hear of Sarah's passing. The San Diego Archer's have fond memories of Charlie and Sarah's visits to sunny San Diego and meeting them at the Best Western on Shelter Island for drinks and dinner. Sarah was always so kind and engaging. The cats near hotel just loved Sarah, she took very good care of them!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. May Sarah find eternal peace and God take care of her.
Dan, Tina & Maureen Archer
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This is the SWEETEST, MOST CARING LADY,MOTHER IN LAW,GRANDMOTHER,MOTHER,WIFE,TEACHER EVER,So kind to every person, animal alive
